Darren Dods Signs For Dundee United

Craig Levein has managed to convince defender Darren Dods to finally sign for Dundee United according to the BBC.

The BBC website is reporting that the Caley Thistle captain has agreed to a pre-contract agreement, which will see him join-up with Levein at Tannadice in the summer.

Speculation linked Dods with a move to Tanandice at the start of the month, when it was rumoured that Levein would secure the services of Dods, Hartlepool striker Jon Daly and Shelbourne defender Sean Dillon before the January transfer window closed.

Jon Daly signed last week and Sean Dillon completed his move to the club on Tuesday, with both players making their debuts in the defeat by Rangers at Ibrox - so Levein completed his triple transfer swoop by agreeing this pre-contractual deal with Dods.

Former manager Craig Brewster tried to talk Dods into joining Dundee United at the start of the season, but the 31-year-old turned down the offer to stay with Charlie Christie's side.

The Edinburgh born defender has had spells with Hutchison Vale BC, Hibernian and Saint Johnstone - before joining Caley Thistle for free in July 2004.

He has made 88 appearances for Caley in the league, scoring 6 times - including his goal against Dundee United in a 4-2 SPL win at Tannadice in February 2006.

On that afternoon, Dods scored a 30th minute opener for the visitors, with further strikes from Dennis Wyness, Craig Dargo and Alan Morgan giving them all 3 points."Obviously I am disappointed, but it is not unexpected and in my heart of hearts I know the budgets other clubs work with, so it is not a huge surprise."

"We got him for nothing and turned his career around without a doubt. If we hadn't signed him for free from St Johnstone when he wasn't getting a game, then who knows where Darren Dods might be just now."

"He owes a lot to Caley Thistle and I am talking as if he has gone, although I hope that isn't the case."

"However, if it is true, we have to accept these things. We had it when we were in the First Division when we lost the likes of Barry Wilson and Paul Sheerin, but we still managed to step on from there. The challenge is whether we can do it again."